HEAD Group, a leading global sports equipment company, takes over the AQUALUNG Group.
27 June 2025 - As per a judgement rendered by the Commercial Court of Nice on June 26th HEAD has been declared the winning party in a bid for the troubled AQUALUNG Group which was placed in receivership on May 16th.
Building on its existing portfolio in Winter Sports, Racquet Sports, Sportswear, and Water Sports, the transaction will significantly strengthen HEAD’s presence in the Water Sports segment by expanding its brand portfolio beyond its established Water Sports brands that include MARES, SSI, rEvo, LIVEABOARD.COM and ZOGGS.
HEAD is planning a restructuring of the AQUALUNG Group business platform and will provide urgent funding to secure the continuation and long-term sustainability of the group. As such the HEAD Group has offered a rescue package of over €50 million along with a comprehensive integration plan with significant synergies. It will see hundreds of jobs saved and Aqualung’s current production facilities in France; UK and Mexico improved and expanded.
The combined group becomes the world leader in the global Water Sports market, uniting two iconic players driven by safety, technical excellence, innovation, comfort and design, performance, and passion for sport and aquatic exploration.
HEAD will maintain and develop the AQUALUNG, APEKS and AQUASPHERE brands and reinforce its strategic and growing military and professional division.
HEAD also plans to build on Aqualung Group’s production capabilities to support the global production and distribution of premium products. The combined expertise of the two companies will accelerate market leadership and open new opportunities to broaden access to water sports worldwide.
Founded in 1943 following the invention of the ‘aqua-lung’ by Captain Jacques Cousteau and engineer Émile Gagnan, the AQUALUNG Group is a pioneer with an unrivalled history and is a global reference in scuba diving equipment. Its products are distributed in over 90 countries and are trusted by both recreational divers and military and professional operators for critical missions.
MARES was acquired by HEAD in 1971 and has evolved to a market leading brand in the scuba diving sector with innovative products.
SSI was acquired by HEAD in 2014 becoming the #1 diving certifier in Europe and has more than doubled in revenue since its acquisition.
ZOGGS, a swim brand born in Australia was acquired by HEAD in 2020 and has since seen significant international growth taking advantage of HEAD’s global network.
